like small thunder bolts and other black men banged pieces of dry wood
together, making the clapping sound.

The elephants were very much frightened. Never before had they heard
anything like this.

"Oh, what is it?" cried Umboo, keeping close to his mother. "What is
it all about. Does the salt spring make that noise?"

"No, it isn't that," said Mrs. Stumptail. "That must be the danger of
which Tusker spoke. Be quiet and listen to what he is saying."

The old elephant leader had to trumpet through his trunk as loudly as
he could to be heard above the noise of the guns and clappers.

"There is danger, O Elephants!" cried Tusker. "The man-smell is all
around us, and the terrible noises are behind, and on both sides of
us. There is only one place that is quiet, and that is straight ahead.
We must go that way! Forward!"

And straight ahead rushed the elephants, toward the place where there
was no noise. As they went on Mr. Stumptail looked to either side and
saw where the two lines of fence came together into a place like a big
ring, and the ring also had a fence around it.

"Look, Tusker!" cried Umboo's father. "Is it all right to go there
where the fence is?"

"It is the only place to go to get away from the hunters," said
Tusker. "They are behind us and on both sides. Only ahead of us is